2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its 30 articles affect everyone’s lives – from the need to close the gender pay gap to ensuring everyone has access to education. The year is therefore an opportunity to rejuvenate thinking on how the Declaration is relevant to people today, as human rights bring solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.
Between April and November, consultations are therefore being held worldwide with a wide range of stakeholders to keep an ear to the ground on today’s challenges for human rights and opportunities in the future. On 11-12 December, governments will then gather in Geneva, Switzerland to issue pledges with the aim of tangibly improving human rights on the ground – such as by introducing legislation or announcing new funding. The high-level event will be preceded by candlelight concerts held around the globe to capture a movement pushing for a better future.
Below are updates on how the Human Rights 75 initiative is shaping up. Keep an eye on its webpage for more on how you can get involved.
Youth trailblazers announced
Safayet from Bangladesh has helped to prevent thousands of child marriages. Milena from Moldova has formed her country’s first youth-led organisation to promote gender equality. Racheal, from Uganda, has changed the way disabled pupils in her country experience school. And all before their 30th birthdays! Twelve inspiring youths out of thousands of applicants have been named as members of HR75’s Youth Advisory Board. They will now lead an online global youth consultation on the future of human rights, and prepare a report to be presented at December’s high-level event. Learn more about the trailblazing youths making a difference
National activities get underway
In May, the #DeFrenteALaLibertad initiative was launched In Mexico. Federal and state level authorities pledged to raise awareness on the risks faced by human rights defenders and journalists in the country. The Mexican government assumes the responsibility to protect human rights defenders and freedom of expression, underlined the President’s Spokesperson, Jesús Ramírez Cuevas.
Also in May, the UN Human Rights Office for Syria and UN Women Regional Office for Arab States led an event on women human rights defenders in the digital space
